Berkeley to consider suing owner of blighted Telegraph Ave. lot

The city of Berkeley may finally be getting fed up with the vacant, rat-infested lot on the northeast corner of Haste and Telegraph.

Photo: Frances Dinkelspiel

The weed- and rat-infested vacant lot at Haste and Telegraph in Berkeley

The City Council on Tuesday will consider filing a lawsuit against Ken Sarachan, the owner of the lot, to collect $500,000 in city liens on the property. The idea so delights City Councilman Kriss Worthington, who represents the area and who has long been frustrated by an empty space in such a prime commercial district, that he sent out an email blast to his constituents on Friday.

He urged them to come to the City Council meeting on Tuesday, even though it is a closed session and is not open to the public.

“It’s time to take action NOW on the Berkeley Inn site at Haste & Telegraph!’ Worthington wrote in an email (the bold font is his). “After many years of repeated noise problems, trash, and problem rats overtaking the site, the Berkeley Inn will be on the City Council agenda this coming Tuesday, September 6th, at 5:30pm. It’s time to take action now. If the City Council takes a strong stance on the issue, it will either force the property owner to do something, or the Council will ensure that the property owner gives Berkeley taxpayers about $500,000 from the lien on the property, which hopefully will go to affordable housing to make up for the affordable housing which was lost by the fire. Either way, the City will get something happening in order to rectify years of blight.”